The Kempters come to Cranston: Gospel band at Edgewood Church

One of the country’s leading gospel bands is coming to Edgewood Congregational Church, 1788 Broad St. in Cranston, on Sunday, October 23 for a concert at 10 a.m. All are invited.

The popular family band, under the direction of their writer/arranger/guitarist father, Chazz Kempter, has been invited to play at the church by their cousin, Brenda Muoio, who is the church organist and choir director.

After a long tour through Alabama and other southern cities, the “Handmade Gospel Band” will make a few stops in Rhode Island, including the Arnold Mills Methodist Church the previous night.

The band consists of 21-year-old Nathan on bass, 19-year-old Sara playing her grandmother’s 150-year-old cello, 17-year-old Danielle on piano, cabasa and percussion, 15-year-old JoAnna on mandolin, 14-year-old Chris on four-string fiddle, and 8-year-old Charli on harp.

In addition to their respective instruments, all of the children have beautiful voices, as evidenced on their latest CD, “Be Still.” Mom Teresa loves to talk about her gifted, musically trained children.

“Danielle plays classical piano and practices six hours a day, she says proudly. “Chris is an amazing fiddle player. Nathan had to learn how to play bass with his left hand after a crippling injury in our cabinet shop.”

The family is from Deatsville, Ala. and perform around their home state, traveling together to spread their gospel music to everyone. They recently performed at Dollywood. The Kempters had a family business building birdhouses, which led to them becoming cabinetmakers; they now devote their full time to their music ministry.

This is a rare opportunity to hear the band in the acoustically excellent church. Pastor Leigh McCaffrey emphasizes that all are welcome. “We’d be happy to add more chairs if needed.”